Project overview

As we approach the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Women, Peace and Security Network-Canada (WPSN-C), with support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) through the Permanent Mission of Canada to the UN, undertook a project bringing together civil society groups from Canada, Colombia, DRC, Lebanon, Nigeria and Rwanda. The project focused on enhancing collaboration between civil society networks and governments in developing and implementing Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) National Action Plans (NAPs). Activities began in October 2024 to align with the annual UN Open Debate at WPS, and have continued through to the end of March 2025.

This project was co-implemented by WPSN-C and country counterparts:

  • Red Nacional de Mujeres (Colombia)
  • Synergie des femmes pour la paix et la sécurité (DRC)
  • Justice Without Frontiers (Lebanon)
  • West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, WANEP (Nigeria)
  • Benimpuhwe Organization (Rwanda)

WPSN-C’s recent work on Advancing WPS: Strengthening Government-Civil Society Collaboration in NAPs

2025 marks the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), and amid proliferating militarization and armed conflicts, a global rise in anti-rights movements, and political uncertainties, the role of civil society in protecting and advancing the WPS agenda remains critical. WPS National Action Plans (NAPs) are a means by…

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Briefing Note 

The briefing note Leveraging Government-Civil Society Collaboration: Insights and Recommendations for Strengthening the WPS Agenda Amid Growing Challenges flows from the conversations generated through the activities undertaken during the Advancing WPS project. The document offers a summary of key challenges, innovations, and good practices to facilitate civil society involvement in WPS NAPs. The aim is to provide a practical tool with clear and actionable policy recommendations to inform government representatives in their engagements with civil society. 

The public launch of the briefing note, Advancing WPS: Insights from Civil Society-Government Collaborations, was held online during the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action.

The event highlighted practical strategies for inclusive WPS NAP implementation and amplified the voices of civil society actors. The discussion focused on challenges and opportunities for strengthening government-civil society collaboration in NAP development and implementation, with a view to informing global WPS policy discussions at CSW69.

The full recording is available here.

Please note that you can click on the globe icon in the bottom toolbar to select interpretation in English, French, Spanish, or Arabic, as well as sign language. A transcript is also available.



October 2024 activities

Learning Lab

A learning lab event in New York brought together civil society networks and groups from more than twelve countries for an interactive workshop in which participants shared experiences, and identified both challenges and innovative practices for effective government-civil society collaboration on WPS NAPs. Discussions emphasized the importance of local ownership of the WPS agenda, and the need for resourcing of civil society participation. Many participants also highlighted the crucial role played by strong feminist networking and transparency and accountability of large institutions  . Finally, participants emphasized the need for a WPS agenda that is flexible and responsive in the face of protracted crises such as Palestine or Afghanistan.  

Public panel

A hybrid public panel was held at the Permanent Mission of Canada in New York. Speakers included Ambassador Jacqueline O’Neill of Canada, Ambassador Arlene B. Tickner of Colombia, Special Envoy Benita Diop of the African Union and representatives of WPS civil society networks from five countries. The event aimed to increase awareness of collaboration opportunities and challenges in government-civil society partnerships on WPS NAPs. The discussion led to practical policy recommendations for improving collaboration and consultation and the importance of strengthening civil society networks.

The full recording is available here.

Please note that you can click on the globe icon in the bottom toolbar to select interpretation in English, French, Spanish, or Arabic, as well as sign language. A transcript is also available.

Bilateral Meetings

During the week in New York, members of the six participating civil society networks held bilateral meetings with representatives of the UN Permanent Missions of Austria and Canada. These dialogues were an opportunity for civil society leaders to share their grassroots experiences and needs working in WPS at the national level to engage with civil society in the development of NAPs more effectively and to brief the Missions on how to more effectively engage with civil society in the development of NAPs.